Matlock to Buxton rail report published

16 June 2004

Derbyshire County Council today made available the report into the re-opening of the Matlock to Buxton rail link. After more than 18 months of in depth and detailed studies into the environmental and financial practicalities of opening up the line consultants Scott Wilson Railways have made their final recommendations public. There would be no great engineering difficulties in constructing a railway along the former corridor but Scott Wilson found there were concerns over the environmental impact and financial viability. 

The report highlights noise and vibration, the disturbance of the landscape and a new route on part of the Monsal Trail as environmental concerns. The main concerns centre around the question of funding a project which would cost in the region of £100m and would require an ongoing subsidy to support the train services. Funding the works and delivery of the scheme would have to come from public sources, stated the report. Scott Wilson went on to say: "In the current financial climate within the rail industry, the `traditional` mechanism for development and funding the works - sponsorship by the Strategic Rail Authority and implementation via Network Rail as an `enhancement scheme` - is unlikely to deliver the project." 

It was found freight traffic would require extra funding - so the best option of any future service would be an hourly passenger only route. But whatever the preferred option all would need an operating subsidy for a number of years after the proposed start date of 2011. In concluding Scott Wilson found opening by 2011 or soon afterwards would not be financially sound. With this in mind they recommended safeguarding the corridor for possible future use, limiting any more development until funding for the whole project can be identified and considering the possibility of private cash to reduce the public cost of any development. 

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for environment and highways, Councillor Brian Lucas said: "When Derbyshire County Council commissioned Scott Wilson Railways to do this study we asked that they report back with an honest and true account of the feasibility of such a huge project. We would expect no less given the cost of proceeding with the re-opening of the Matlock to Buxton rail link could be in the region of £100m. We thank Scott Wilson for all their hard work and detailed studies and appreciate the frankness of their report. It is also pertinent to point out this study would not have been possible without all the help and support from the other 14 funding partners - and the county council would like to thank them too. We will now consider the report`s recommendations - and give any interested parties an opportunity to comment - before we make a final decision as to how to proceed." 

The full report plus summary and appendix documents can now be viewed online by clicking here http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/railproject (opens in a new window) 

Copies of the report are also available from County Hall, the district council offices and libraries. Comments to be received by Friday 30 July to Steve Cannon, transportation and road safety manager, environmental services department, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG or email steve.cannon@derbyshire.gov.uk